Page 12 of Choose Me

I opened it to find James standing there, looking just as tired and worn out as I felt, but his eyes were glazed over, and he smelled strongly of whiskey. His shirt was unbuttoned, revealing a light dusting of dark hair on his tattooed chest, and he had his sleeves rolled up, showcasing more of that beautiful artwork I had grown to love. His eyes were like a wild sea, dark and full of emotions. His hair was messy and unkempt, matching the chaotic emotions that consumed me. When his eyes met mine, a wave of emotion flooded through my body. Every atom in my body pulsed for him, so intense that I thought my heart would burst.

I couldn’t help but let out a sigh at the sight of him. Even though I knew he had been drinking, and his state of mind was clouded, I couldn’t resist the pull he had on me. This is how it always was between us.

He didn’t say anything at first, just stood there in front of me, his eyes never leaving mine. I could see the turmoil in his gaze, the same turmoil I felt right now. I knew that look all too well. It was the look of a man torn between his desires and responsibilities.

“James,” I finally said, breaking the silence.

He didn’t answer me, instead taking a step closer to me.

I couldn’t resist the magnetic pull, his scent filling my nostrils, and I inhaled deeply, relishing in the musky smell of whiskey and evergreen. I couldn’t help but reach out and touch his chest, feeling the warmth and strength of his body under my fingertips. His breath hitched, and he closed his eyes, savoring the sensation of my touch.

“I need you,” he muttered, his voice husky with emotion.

I leaned in, pressing my lips against his, feeling the softness of his lips and the roughness of stubble on his face. He deepened the kiss, his hands moving to my waist, pulling me closer to him. I felt his hard erection pressing against my stomach, and my body responded with a surge of desire. My stubborn resolve was weak when he was around. I was still mad at him, but right now, I just needed him. He was the calm to my storm, the rain to my wildfire, and the water in my desert. He was the only one who could hurt me and, at the same time, take my pain away.

And for the record, damn, these pregnancy hormones make me feral for him.

I pull him inside the bedroom, slamming the door behind him and quickly unbuttoning his jeans. I tug down his zipper and reach into his boxer briefs, pulling out his hard cock and squeezing it tight between my hands. He let out a growl and lifted me up into his arms, and I wrapped my legs around his waist, colliding my lips against his with a desperate need that could only be satisfied with his tongue on mine. He walks me across the room, his fingers gripping into my ass as he pushes me up against the floor-to-ceiling windows. Somehow, he managed to pull my pants and underwear off while still holding me with his other arm. I was well aware that my bare ass was exposed, flushed against the window, but I didn’t care.

And neither did he.

He let his pants fall to the ground, stepping out of them and stroking his cock. My pussy was dripping wet, coating my thighs. I shift my hips, and he rubs the velvety head of his cock against my entrance, and I grind against him, desperate for penetration. I kiss him hard and push my hips down. At the same time, he is pushing himself inside me, and I graciously take his entire length inside me in one thrust.

I moan wildly as he shoves himself deep inside me, and my pussy stretches to fit all of him. The sensation is almost unbearable, and I cling to him. His face sinks into my neck as I ride him hard, our bodies pressed against each other. His muscles bulge as he pumps into me, and I dig my nails into his back. The cool glass behind me sends a shockwave through my body as I ride him. He bites onto my neck, digging deep into my flesh as we move together as one. His fingers dig harshly into the flesh of my ass as he grinds deep inside of me, and I crave the pain mixed with the pleasure. He fills me up perfectly, and I love the ravenous animal he is right now. I feel his cock twitch inside me, and he growls as he slams his cock into me one last time. I feel my pussy throbbing, gripping him tightly as it clenches, and I reach my own release. We ride out our climax together, and he stays inside me for a second, catching his breath.

He gently sets me down and pulls out of me. His hand slides through my hair, and I lean into his touch. He pulls my lips to his, kisses me softly, and then pulls away to pull his pants on and help me with mine. He kneels in front of me, gently lifting each leg and kissing my skin as he slides my shorts back on. He pulls my shirt up and rests it above my stomach, baring my round belly to him. He rested his hands gently on the side of my stomach, then laid a tender kiss across it.

“Don’t leave me.” He begs desperately, his forehead resting gently across my pregnant belly.

“What?” I ask him breathlessly, fingers sinking in his hair as I try to raise his head so I can look at him.

“I don’t want to lose you, Ava.” He pleads through tears, and I am suddenly filled with regret for what I said to him earlier.

I tug at his shoulders, forcing him to stand so we are face-to-face once again. My thumb strokes his cheek as I express my sorrow for being so cruel to him.

“I am sorry for what I said earlier. It was cruel, and you didn’t deserve it. You are the father of my baby and the love of my life, and I am not leaving you. I don’t know how to make this work with you in Miami and me here, but I will be waiting here for you to come back to me. To come back to us.” I placed his hands on my stomach, letting him cradle my little bump.

“But what about next week’s appointment?”

“I’ll tell them I want to wait to find out the gender until you can be here.”

His blue eyes meet mine as he whispers tremulously, “I love you.”

“I love you too,” I whisper back before leaning forward to kiss him softly.

I can sense the apprehension radiating from him, and I know he dreads the thought of leaving me behind. I squeeze his hand in a desperate attempt to reassure him that everything will be alright, but I don’t know how to convince him if I can’t even convince myself.

“I’ll be fine,” I say, trying to sound confident. “I’ll take care of myself and our baby while you’re gone. You focus on this case and come back as soon as you can. Preferably before the baby is born.”

He nods reluctantly, but I can still see the fear in his eyes. I step closer and cover his lips with mine. I can feel the tears gathering in my eyes, but I try to push them away.

A knock on the door breaks our contact.

“Hey, are you guys decent?” Everett calls out cautiously, peeking into the room.

“Yeah. What’s up?” James responds without hesitation.

“Thomas stopped by. He said he has some information you’ll want to hear.”

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